Judge sentences Cowpens woman to five years in assault case

Published: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:40 p.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, April 11, 2013 at 7:40 p.m.

A Cowpens woman admitted Thursday to pistol whipping one victim and holding a gun to another woman's head last October.

Sae Jae Ellis, 35, of 180 Mr. Cash Dr., pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault and battery and one count of possession of methamphetamine. Circuit Judge Benjamin Culbertson imposed a five-year sentence. She will receive credit for time served.

Ellis was originally charged with two counts of assault and battery of a high aggravated nature, as well as possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, but was allowed to plead to the lesser charges.

Ellis also has been charged with kidnapping and another assault charge. According to online court records, those cases are still pending.

Seventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Timi Poulos said in court that Ellis kicked in the door to a home on Anchor Street and assaulted two women on Oct. 16, 2012.

Witnesses told Spartanburg County Sheriff's officers that Ellis hit one woman in the face with a pistol before beating another woman with the gun and abducting her at gunpoint. Neither victim spoke at Ellis' plea hearing.

Poulos said Ellis admitted to officers that she had methamphetamine.

Ellis' attorney, Claire Hall, asked that she receive a sentence suspended to the six months' time she's served in jail.

Hall said Ellis may have a “tough appearance,” but had always been cordial and polite to her.

<p>A Cowpens woman admitted Thursday to pistol whipping one victim and holding a gun to another woman's head last October.</p><p>Sae Jae Ellis, 35, of 180 Mr. Cash Dr., pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree assault and battery and one count of possession of methamphetamine. Circuit Judge Benjamin Culbertson imposed a five-year sentence. She will receive credit for time served.</p><p>Ellis was originally charged with two counts of assault and battery of a high aggravated nature, as well as possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, but was allowed to plead to the lesser charges.</p><p>Ellis also has been charged with kidnapping and another assault charge. According to online court records, those cases are still pending.</p><p>Seventh Circuit Assistant Solicitor Timi Poulos said in court that Ellis kicked in the door to a home on Anchor Street and assaulted two women on Oct. 16, 2012.</p><p>Witnesses told Spartanburg County Sheriff's officers that Ellis hit one woman in the face with a pistol before beating another woman with the gun and abducting her at gunpoint. Neither victim spoke at Ellis' plea hearing.</p><p>Poulos said Ellis admitted to officers that she had methamphetamine.</p><p>Ellis' attorney, Claire Hall, asked that she receive a sentence suspended to the six months' time she's served in jail.</p><p>Hall said Ellis may have a “tough appearance,” but had always been cordial and polite to her.</p><p>Hall said Ellis receives disability for mental health issues and said Ellis' disabled mother needs her help.</p><p>Ellis' mother, Rosemary Ellis, addressed the judge before sentencing. She referred to Ellis as “he” and “him.”</p><p>“He made a mistake,” Rosemary said. She believed she could keep Ellis on the “straight and narrow” and promised to do everything in her power to prevent another incident in the future.</p><p>“I'm sorry to everyone involved and sorry for my actions,” Ellis told the judge.</p><p>Ellis' co-defendant, James Lyman Shields III, 23, of 106 Poplar St., has been charged with kidnapping in connection to the incident last October. His case is also pending.</p>